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ASK THE COSTA RICA FISHING EXPERT
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Fishing.
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Costa Rica Fishing Questions
| Rob, I am planning on
a trip to Costa Rica in Late April and May and want to do both offshore
fishing and snook fishing. Is it my best bet to book 2 days on the
Pacific ( Southern, Central, or Northern) side for offshore and then
travel across the country to the Rio Colorado for snook? |
Gary,
I am sorry it took a while to get back with you but I was down in
Drake's Bay for a few days.The offshore dates are great for the Central and South Pacific but I
can't assure you that the snook fishing on the Caribbean is worth the
trip.
Some of the bet snook fishing is done the old fashion was.. at river
mouths from the beach.
When I had my charter boat there was only one rule. No snook fishing.
The reason is that you have to get the boat as close to the shore break
as possible and every year a rogue wave would take a boat, clients and
all, up on the beach. The only exception would be with the guys at
Crocodile Bay that can keep you in the Golfo Dulce.
The rivers on the Pacific side hold a lot of big snook so if you are
willing to wade and and cast you may save yourself a ton of cash and
hook a some nice fish.
Rob |
| Me and a buddy are
coming to Costa Rica on March 11. We are staying in downtown San Jose
that night, but wanted to fish on the 12th or 13th. What do you
recommend for a one-day trip? We're flexible for either coast on Inland
for Guapote, etc. |
Brad,
If you want to do a quick day of fishing then you can go to
Los Suenos
via helicopter or take a 20 minute flight to Quepos. They have a
schedule that can get you there and back in one day.
Guapote is bit of a hike from San Jose (3 1/2/ hours).
Rob |
| Billfishing the first
week of April. Unsure which days. Can I visit a dock and charter the
next day? Where can I find smaller charters with more hands on for a
party of 3? Paul. |
Hi Paul,
April is a good month to get a walk up charter. There is usually a few
boats that are not booked or have a cancellation. Your best bet is
Quepos although you may also be able to find one in Los Sueños.
In Quepos you can check in the Gran Escape around dinner/cocktail time.
The boat captains and crews are usually in there and you can find out
how the bite is.
Rob |
| A friend and I are in
the initial stages of planning a 3-4 day billfishing trip to Costa Rica
sometime between March and July. I was in Quepos with my wife in October
and we got skunked. I was hoping you could provide me with some
expert advice on when the best time would be (March-July), what area
would be best to go, and what I could expect fishing wise. Thanks
for your help. |
Hi Rich,
September and October are the roughest months. Its part because of the
currents and the lack of anglers too. Most of the boats work together
when it comes to finding fish. With 40-50 boats out there is a good
chance someone will come across some fish and let the other boats know.
In October there are fewer fish and fewer boats out to find them
but even still skunked is rarely heard of in Quepos.
If you can go in March go. Followed by April and then May. Go back to
Quepos too. Let me know if you have trouble finding a boat because it
tough to find a good one then. I know a guy that only takes 70 trips a
year but I may be able to talk him into a few more.
Rob |
| I am interested in
fishing Costa Rica for billfish and tarpon. Are there any areas that
would offer close access to both of these? I have a timeshare and would
be staying for 7 days. There are several areas throughout Costa Rica
that I can stay in my timeshare. I plan to charter for fishing and would
like to experience a couple days of each. If this is possible, what
month would be provide optimal opportunities? |
| Hi Chris,
The Tarpon fishing is done out of Barra Colorado on the Caribbean Coast.
It is reachable by small plane and then a boat ride through the jungle.
So unless you have a time share in a hut you will need to stay at one of
the lodges. The place to go is
Casa Mar. The late owner was my good
friend of mine and I have probably spent more than a year of my life
there. Let me know where on the
Pacific your time shares are in and I will suggest a boat but make sure
you let me know when you are traveling because that is very important.
Rob |
| We are planning a
trip for five guys and we are all torn between going to Quepos for
Fishing or going to Los Sueños. We have looked into a lot of different
things and talked to a lot of different people. Most of the websites and
books say Quepos is the better bet but there are a lot of people that we
know who have visited there an said that
Los Sueños is better. We are
looking for he BEST overall fishing experience. We will be heading out
for two days for offshore billfish. Now we are looking for the best
boats and the best captains and crew. The bigger the boat the better.
The prices are not really too much of a concern and I think that is why
we are leaning toward Los Sueños but I have a gut feeling about Quepos.
We are also looking to do a lot of the
other adventure type activities while we are there like Canopy Tours,
Waterfall repelling , ATV riding and so on.
If you could give me some recommendations and more importantly help me
find a great captain and a great crew on a first class boat. Thanks |
Pat, Although I ran
my boat out of Quepos and its where I liked to go I think Los Suenos is
more of what you are looking for as far as big boats are concerned.
Los Sueños is a resort with a first class Marina. In fact its where we are
having the 2007 Costa Rica Classic this March.
Quepos is an old banana port town with a downtown area where locals and
visitors mix. It has an old pier that the boats back up to rather than
just walking up to a slip.
The onshore activities are probably better in Quepos but you will fish
the same general area no matter which place you go out of.
One tip! Make sure to ask if you can take pictures of any released
sailfish. With some of the nice big boats sporting paint jobs
approaching six figures some do not like to pull the the rough fish over
the side of the boat.
Let me know if you have any more questions.
Rob |
| Where and When is the
best time to sportfish for Marlin and Sailfish in Costa Rica? I am
responsible for setting up a bachelor party there. We are looking around
February of 2008. I know its early but I want to set it up as soon as
possible. We will be a party of anywhere between 10-18 guys |
Hi Vic, You have the
best month chosen. December through April is peak billfish season, with
February being right at the top.
I
am going to suggest one or two nights in San Jose and then to head out
to Los Suenos or Quepos. You may want to pick your dates soon. With our
season in swing down here a lot of the guys get off the boat and rebook
on the spot for the next year, now they are coming up on January.Tight lines.
Rob |
| Rob,
We have a group of four guys coming down from North Carolina the week of
March 11-18, and we want to do some serious fishing. We'd like to
concentrate offshore for sails, marlin, dorado, and rooster fish. We
wouldn't mind maybe catching some tuna as well. I was wondering what
spot you would recommend for this particular time of year. If you could
recommend a couple of possible charters or captains that would be
greatly appreciated. Thank you so much and I look forward to hearing
back from you! Wilson |
Wilson, That is peak
time for offshore action in the southern and central part of the Pacific
Coast. Depending on your budget and what kind of "onshore" activities
you wish to do you have three options.
Los Suenos
Quepos or Crocodile Bay. Los Suenos is the highest end, set in a resort. Quepos has the most options
on boats and hotels, bars, restaurants etc. and Crocodile Bay is a lodge
that is set in a more remote area that has all inclusive.
If you have any more questions let me
know.
Rob |
| Rob, I will be in
Costa Rica during the month of June. Will I have a good chance of doing
some good offshore fishing? Where should I concentrate?
thanks, Dave |
Hi David,
Thanks for that great question David. June is one of those months that
brings good fishing offshore just about everywhere in Costa Rica.
Nonetheless, I would consider fishing up north, off the Bat Islands. The
Papagallo winds are gone and the "Bats" hold all different kinds of fish
when the clean water is in. In fact some of my best days ever have been
at there.
That is not to say the action out of
Crocodile Bay or Quepos won't be
great either. Its just a matter of this time of year being the beginning
of the "season" up north and beautiful place to fish.
Rob |
| When & where is the
best large Tuna fishing? Looking to fish 100lb. plus size tuna.
Thanx Tom |
Tom,
Up and down the coast we get many schools of "football" size Tuna which
provide great light tackle action. Occasionally we also get some big
fish mixed in there with the larger concentrations being off the Central
and Southern coast. The time of year is generally in the "off" season of
May to December, when floating logs provide cover for baitfish.
This year Crocodile Bay and the
"Spanish Fly" out of Los Sueños brought
some nice tuna to the dock tipping scale at the 300lb range.
There is s special way to get the big fish out of the schools that most
experienced captains know. Ross Roberts out of Quepos and Tucker
Colquhoun out of Los Sueños are veteran tuna hunters that can make sure
you get you best shot at a big slob.
Rob |
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